Qs for owners: Considering 2009, used 2010, or new 2010

[natesi]

Howdy all,

I’m looking at buying a Camry LE – considering 2009, used 2010, or new 2010.

I liked the test drive, but am renting one for the upcoming weekend to take on my favorite (and least favorite) roads – to see how it would work for me every day.

In browsing Craig’s List…

• Looks like used 2009s are going anywhere from 13-15K in my area.
• Used 2010s look like they are going for about 15800 to 16500.
• New 2010s are 4500 off MSRP. There are some left in our area.

Do those seem like decent deals? What is your recommendation?

I didn’t talk to anyone about a new 2011, but there’s a 1000 rebate and I’m guessing I could get maybe another 1000 off that…? But the only reason to get the 2011 would be to get the USB port for the stereo, right?


There sure are a LOT of used Camry’s on the market. I’m thinking a fair number of these are going to be former rental cars?? Or is Toyota’s reputation so bad right now that people are dumping them? Cars are an emotional thing for people, so I can kinda see that -- people over react.

Anyway, I have some Qs for owners.

• Early on in the 2007 redesign I think I heard rumblings of interior squeaks and rattles. Have those been addressed in the 2009 and up models?
• Is there anyway to convert an SE to have folding rear seats? I love the SE but the lack of folding seats is a gut wrenching deal breaker. Is the chassis not rigid enough, or what?
• On the same note, if I go with an LE, I’m gonna want to upgrade the rear anti-roll bar, at a minimum. Maybe the front anti-roll bar too. Can the LE chassis handle this with the folding rear seats, or do I need to install front and rear shock tower braces as well?
• Is the 2010 and up 6 speed transmission sealed? Or can it be maintenanced?

2009 model year questions:

• Aside form larger engine, 6 speed transmission, and new front end, any other changes missing?
• How is the 5 speed transmission – any issues?
• Does the 5 speed adversely affect acceleration abilities? Any draw back aside from losing 1mpg?

Any other issues you think a potential owner should consider?

Much thanks,

-Nathan

[gdanaher]

Originally Posted by natesi

Anyway, I have some Qs for owners.

• Early on in the 2007 redesign I think I heard rumblings of interior squeaks and rattles. Have those been addressed in the 2009 and up models? Yes and no. Every car is different and not all 07's had issues, and new dashes still squeak in the winter.
• Is there anyway to convert an SE to have folding rear seats? I love the SE but the lack of folding seats is a gut wrenching deal breaker. Is the chassis not rigid enough, or what? No. The car has cross members to give the rearward body more rigidity. You might be able to carve them out, but it would cost a couple grand to retro fit the whole thing to the LE spec.
• On the same note, if I go with an LE, I’m gonna want to upgrade the rear anti-roll bar, at a minimum. Maybe the front anti-roll bar too. Can the LE chassis handle this with the folding rear seats, or do I need to install front and rear shock tower braces as well? Outside of NASCAR, Camrys do not have roll bars. Perhaps you are thinking of torsion bars. There are discussions here about upgrading them to stiffer parts and it is possible. Research and learn.
• Is the 2010 and up 6 speed transmission sealed? Or can it be maintenanced? The new Eisen transmissions are sealed, use long life fluids that require no maintenance until there is a failure or 100k miles. Having said that, they certainly can be maintained, but it is a complicated process requiring monitoring of fluid temperatures and such. Best done by a dealer.

2009 model year questions:

• Aside from larger engine, 6 speed transmission, and new front end, any other changes missing? These things happened in 2010, not 2009.
• How is the 5 speed transmission – any issues?
• Does the 5 speed adversely affect acceleration abilities? Any draw back aside from losing 1mpg? There have many issues with the 5 speed a/t and most of them were addressed by computer updates. Shifting issues, hesitation, etc. Research this topic and read the threads. I have a V6 because the I4 was in my view a real dog. Others here argue the point, and some of those talk about getting turbo chargers for their I4's. You figure it out. The 2.5 litre engine improves the weight to horsepower ratio a bit and you might be more happy with that engine. It depends upon your topography and elevation above sea level. Gas mileage estimates are just that and vary with the driver. One mile per gallon is not statistically significant.

Any other issues you think a potential owner should consider? There is usually a reason that someone gets rid of a very low mileage, nearly new car. You stay away from a repo. If they couldn't afford to make the payments monthly, what are the odds that they did proper maintenance on the car? Other new, used cars might have been owned by a recently deceased individual, but it might have been in a nice wreck and rebuilt, so do homework on the prior owner. Nothing eliminates buyer fear and trepidation than a new car with 3 miles on the odometer.

[mitchell4198]

I have a 2010 SE 2.5 and love it.

I recommend that you drive both the LE and SE before you decide.

Try here for realistic pricing:

http://www.fitzmall.com/default.asp

My dealer was actually lower thatn fitzmall, but they are a good guide when it come time to talk price.

[MJZ]

No to 2009s.

Yes to 2010s.

New or used depends on your finances, and if the right deal comes along.

[wdoyle0447]

I got the 4500 deal. Dealers wouldn't go down anymore. For us seemed to be the tipping point between deciding new or used. Generally would only consider used so in this case I broke Dave Ramsey's new car rule.

[MJZ]

Originally Posted by wdoyle0447

I got the 4500 deal. Dealers wouldn't go down anymore. For us seemed to be the tipping point between deciding new or used. Generally would only consider used so in this case I broke Dave Ramsey's new car rule.

If you got an LE for $15,000 or so hat's pretty good already.

[wdoyle0447]

Originally Posted by MJZ

If you got an LE for $15,000 or so hat's pretty good already.

It was a good deal but had its drawbacks. Not much color choice, steel wheels, no options to pick from, etc...

[zythr]

Go with the one with the V-6 if you can, you'll be glad you did. I would not even consider a 4 cylinder for these cars

[bmbweber]

Used 2010 SE 2.5...... SOLDDDDDDD!!!!!

[natesi]

Originally Posted by MJZ

If you got an LE for $15,000 or so hat's pretty good already.

An LE goes for about $22800 ish MSRP, right? $4500 off that is $18300. How are you coming up with $15K?

[MJZ]

Originally Posted by natesi

An LE goes for about $22800 ish MSRP, right? $4500 off that is $18300. How are you coming up with $15K?

$22800? That's like VW Passat territory.

LE was 19 something MSRP when I bought it.

[natesi]

Originally Posted by MJZ

$22800? That's like VW Passat territory.

LE was 19 something MSRP when I bought it.

A 2011 2.5 liter LE with 6 speed auto and nothing else is $22860 MSRP with freight.

So I guess the price went up nearly 3 grand in two years then.

?

[MJZ]

http://www.autobuyguide.com/2009/09-...mry/index.html

"The Camry ($19,195) comes with cloth upholstery, air conditioning and pollen filter, cruise control, power windows and mirrors, manual tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, a multi-function information display with outside temperature, a 160-watt stereo with six speakers, single CD player and auxiliary jack for MP3 devices, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and 16-inch steel wheels. The CE comes standard with a manual transmission; a five-speed automatic transmission is optional ($1,000). The Camry LE ($20,600) and LE V6 ($24,215) add an eight-way power driver's seat and remote keyless entry.

Camry SE ($21,815) and SE V6 ($25,490) add a firmer, lowered suspension, flashy styling cues, unique interior trim, fog lights and P215/55R17 tires on 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

Camry XLE ($25,575) features glossy wood-grain interior trim and comes standard with the automatic. XLE models add dual-zone auto climate control with an electronic ion filter, a JBL audio upgrade with 440 watts, six-CD changer, Bluetooth wireless telephone interface, power passenger seat, power sunroof, split 40/20/40 reclining rear seat, rear reading lamps, manual rear-window sunshade, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Leather comes standard on the XLE V6 ($28,695).

Camry Hybrid ($26,150) has a 147-hp version of the four-cylinder engine, matched with an electric motor and continuously variable transmission. The motor augments the gas engine's performance and captures energy that would otherwise be wasted as the car slows and brakes, so it can reduce fuel consumption substantially. The Hybrid is equipped comparably to the XLE four-cylinder, but adds Toyota's Smart Key pushbutton-start feature."

Guess it was 20,600.

$2000 in 2 years.

[islandboy57]

I really like the look of the 2010s but I don't think you can go wrong with either an '09 or '10. In 2010 TC + VSC became standard equipment in addition to the changes you mentioned. I'm fine with my 2.4L 5spd auto (and I get as high as 33.5 MPG on the highway w/ AC on), as is my gf who recently bought her '09. I rented the '10 for a few days and it was slow to downshift but I attribute that to 'normal' drivers renting the car, not ones who drive it hard. I didn't find it particularly powerful or all that different from the older 2.4L.

And yes, a lot of one year old Camrys (both '09s and '10s) are former rentals from Hertz (mostly) and some from Enterprise.

[natesi]

Outside of NASCAR, Camrys do not have roll bars. Perhaps you are thinking of torsion bars. There are discussions here about upgrading them to stiffer parts and it is possible. Research and learn.

Actually, anti-roll bar is the correct term. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sway_bar

You must be thinking of a "roll cage".

= )